CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

EMMA'S POV

"Alpha Kai, watch out!" I yelled, my voice cutting through the noise.

My heartbeat cowers, fear purring in my veins as a tug of urgency enveloped me. In that split second, I watched as Alpha Kai suddenly maneuvered, causing the impending bullet to hit the wall behind him.

Kai moved with lightning speed, tackling me to the ground just as the gunshot rang out. The deafening crack echoed in my ears, and I felt the impact of Kai’s body shielding mine. We hit the ground hard, but he kept me covered, protecting me with his own body.

For a moment, everything was a blur of sound and motion. The pack’s warriors sprang into action, converging on the hooded figure who had tried to assassinate our Alpha. Kai's breath was hot against my ear, his body tense and ready for anything.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

I nodded, my heart still racing. "Yes, I’m fine. But you..."

"I’m fine too," he assured me, his gaze intense. "Stay close to me."

The entire hall rumbled in fear, the guest all bowing their heads for cover as they all ran in different directions. The security surrounding the hall all chased the nodded figure causing him to flee through the hall.

I could feel the burn of Alpha Kai's flesh against mine, the soft intoxicating smell of his flesh filling my nostrils. I sniffed, feeling my body draped against his broad chest. Swiftly, I watched him spring to his feet, gliding smartly as he rushed towards the figure.

Right before my eyes, I watched Alpha Kai transform into his wolf form. His wolf possessed rich black fur which seemed to glow under the hall's lighting, his blue eyes burning with rage as he sped past the entire length of the hall.

I could feel his anger from the stage as I brushed off the clouds of sweats clouding my oily forehead. My entire dress had some dust on it, as I steadied my breathing. Adrenaline washed through me, my body still aching with the fear of my mate being assassinated.

The cold whiff of his smell fleeted past my nostrils causing aurora to roar in anger. "We have to protect the Alpha." Aurora said.

Gripping the hem of her gown, I rose slowly till I was fully back on my feet, the view of the almost empty hall unleashing a tug of fear. "I have to get you to safety, ma'am," Madeline offered, her eyes burning with fear as she rushed over to me.

Madeline ordered in some guards and in just a span of seconds, I was already been helped out of the hall. As we proceeded past the length of the hall, my eyes wavered in a search for Alpha but he was nowhere to be found.

"Where is Alpha Kai?" I asked Madeline who immediately offered me a comforting smile as she replied, "He left with the guards to catch the attacker."

My mind flashed back to the hooded figure, the gun in his palms and the mask on his face. The blurry glance of his figure in the crowd played in my mind. He was fully armed, aiming directly for Alpha Kai. I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn't yell to Alpha Kai to watch out.

My heart burned to the thought of my mate getting injured or loosing his life. I could still feel the warmth of Alpha kai's body covering mine, the way he protected me with his own life.

"Are you okay ma'am Emma?" Pamela asked as I jerked back to reality. We were already at the parking lot, getting into a car, that had been prepared to take me back to the pack.

The security guard opened the door for me as I entered the car Madeline following me shortly. Adjusting to the cold temperature in the car, I fiddled, fixing my gaze over to the moon's horizon.

Tonight was supposed to be perfect, for me to finally feel a sense of belonging in the pack. But now, I doubt if I'll ever belong in this pack. It all seemed like wherever I was, I never seemed to belong.

Not here, not in my pack.

"Don't worry Emma," Aurora whined in an aim to comfort me as I delved deeper into thoughts. The moonlight's ethereal glow glistened over it's horizon of clouds. The breeze of the evening hitting my face as I watched the fleeting view of the hall, the blur of lights and motion.

"We're here," Out of the blue, Madeline's voice pulled me back from my thoughts, her hands holding mine softly. I turned my gaze to the view of the Crescent pack's tall gates as the chimed open. The car rode in a steady motion, veering in the direction of the parking lot.

I felt it park slowly, the driver opening the door for me to alight as I stepped down from the car. I felt the moon's ethereal light basking my figure as I glided towards the pack house doors with Madeline by my side.

We made our way into the hallway, the maids all bowing their heads in submission to me. It now dawned on me the amount of respect I was now receiving from both the pack members and the servants.

"I told you they'd would warm up to your presence," Madeline turned to me, smiling softly. As we progressed into the hallway, I couldn't help but wonder where Alpha Kai was. He was probably still at the hall venue, keeping things under control and catching the hooded figure who had tried to kill him.

We finally arrived to a familiar door I'd recognize as my room's door. Madeline opened the door slowly to the view of my room. The extravagant decor of my room caught my eyes, it's high vaulted ceiling and large windows draped with rich, velvet curtains. A plush, king-sized bed that dominated the center of the room, piled high with soft pillows and an inviting comforter.

We finally reached my room. Madeline opened the door, and I barely glanced at the extravagant decor. The plush, king-sized bed in the center of the room was all I needed. I collapsed onto it, sinking into the soft pillows.

My mind was a mess. Why was I feeling so worried? Alpha Kai's words kept echoing in my head. His presence was so overwhelming, so consuming. Was he safe now? Why did it even matter to me? I'd only just arrived, yet he already seemed to dominate my thoughts.

I tried to shake off the confusion. Why did I care this much? But the more I tried, the more tangled my emotions became. Was it fear? Curiosity? Something more?

As I lay there, lost in my thoughts, the door creaked open. A maid stepped in quietly, her presence startling me.

"The Alpha requests your presence in his private lounge," she said softly, almost as if she knew what I was thinking.

Her words jolted me back to reality, my heart racing. I stood up, trying to steady myself. The anticipation was electric, a mix of dread and excitement swirling within me. What did he want? Why now?

I followed the maid, my steps steady despite the turmoil inside. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, each step amplifying the suspense. What awaited me in his lounge? The thought gripped me, pulling me forward with an irresistible force.